Alberta Premier Daniel Smith has said he wants to depoliticize the debate over upcoming legislation affecting transgender youth, but federal ministers say that’s not possible.
Federal Liberal Gender Equality Minister Marci Ien said the legislation itself was a political act.
“In Canada, the freedom to be yourself is not a political issue, it’s a right,” Ien said in a social media post to Smith on Tuesday.
“As a member of Congress, you should know that.”
Ien’s comments came hours after Smith posted a video online in which he said people who think Alberta’s new policy is harmful are misguided.
The United Conservative Party Prime Minister added that he hoped future debate on the bill, which will be tabled when the House of Commons reconvenes later this month, will be mature and considerate.
Ien extended an offer to meet with Smith to further discuss the bill, saying the sweeping changes being proposed could be life-threatening.
In a statement to the Canadian Press, Smith did not say whether he would meet with Ien, but he said the new policy will “protect children and ensure they make life-altering decisions as adults.” He said that the following has been formulated.
“We want to be clear that we will continue to ensure that all Albertans who identify as transgender are supported and their rights are protected,” Smith said. said.
Ien’s spokeswoman, Carolyn Svonkin, said Wednesday that Smith did not respond to requests for an interview.
The bill, which Smith announced online in January, aims to ban people under the age of 18 from undergoing gender reassignment surgery, and from under 16 from receiving puberty blockers or hormone therapy.
Smith said 16- and 17-year-olds can receive puberty blockers and hormone therapy, but only with the consent of a doctor, psychologist or parents.
Canadian Health Minister Mark Holland joined Ien in expressing concern.
“Medical decisions, including gender-affirming treatment, should be made between families and their doctors,” Holland wrote on social media.
“Prime Minister Smith’s plan to completely ban these health procedures will impact the health of children and their families and limit the options of doctors seeking to make the right health decisions for their patients. It will be.”
Under the UCP government’s proposed legislation, students under the age of 15 would also need parental approval if they wish to use different pronouns or names at school. Parents of 16- and 17-year-olds would still need to be notified.
Parents will also be required to opt-in to classes on sexual orientation and sexual/gender identity. Parents can now opt out. Similarly, the Ministry of Education must approve third-party educational materials on these subjects.
The bill would also ban transgender women from participating in competitive women’s sports leagues, but not recreational or co-ed competitions.
A number of groups have condemned the policy, including Amnesty International Canada, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Canada, the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives and the provincial Pride Association.
Victoria Bucholz, a transgender woman and member of Queer Citizens United, said Smith and her UCP government are not listening to the transgender and queer communities, and that they are a small minority. He said no.
The easiest way for Smith to depoliticize policy would be to do nothing, Bucholz said.
“We should abandon these policies and leave this to the parents, teachers, and medical professionals who serve the trans community,” Bucholz said. “This video shows that she is aware that there is tremendous opposition to what she is doing.”
Alberta’s Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says Smith’s call for depoliticization is an attempt to escape criticism and believes Smith is responsible for politicizing the lives of transgender youth. Ta.
“If she really wants to protect transgender children, she should stop playing politics with their lives,” he said.
The Alberta government is trying to insert itself into the doctor-patient relationship, said Christopher Wells, chair of the Canada Research Chair in Public Understanding of Sexual and Sexual Minority Youth.
Wells, who was recently appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said: “It’s completely unconscionable for a government to try to get between doctors and patients and put ideology in the exam room instead of evidence.” .
“Why is the state government so obsessed with the bodies of transgender children? This strange obsession they just can’t seem to get over.”
